There was a great atmosphere at Dr. Thompson’s Seifenfabrik in Düsseldorf last night: IT managers from leading retail companies such as Colruyt, dm Drogeriemarkt, Edeka, Lidl, MediaMarktSaturn, Migros, Takko Fashion, Woolworths and many more celebrated together with their technology partners. EHI Retail Institute has selected the winners of the 18th Retail Technology Awards (Reta). The awards ceremony took place during the EuroCIS 2025. A high-calibre jury, including Björn Weber, publisher of The Retail Optimiser, Scott Thompson from the Retail Technology Innovation Hub and Miya Knights, editor of the British trade magazine Retail Technology, selected the most innovative technology projects in retail.
Woolworths Group with Hanshow
Woolworths Group is currently trialling a smart shopping trolley in Australia that allows customers to track their spending in real time on a screen. The trolley is equipped with a scanner, NFC-enabled payment functions and smart sensors (The Retail Optimiser reported).
Edeka Jäger with Diebold Nixdorf and Wanzl
At the Edeka Jäger walk-in store at Stuttgart Airport, customers can make cashless purchases around the clock, including during unmanned night-time operations. An AI-based age verification system at the self-checkout lanes analyses the customer’s facial features in real time and estimates their age within a few seconds, in compliance with the GDPR. This means that in 80 to 90 per cent of cases, no staff intervention is required. This reduces waiting times and frees up staff for other tasks (as reported by The Retail Optimiser).
MediaMarktSaturn
MediaMarktSaturn has developed its own AI platform that creates a corporate and data protection compliant environment for the use of generative AI in the company. By bundling several AI model subscriptions on a single platform, the consumer electronics retailer is significantly reducing costs and making its employees’ workflows more efficient.
Migros teo with Axis Communications, ES Sicherheit AG, Evalink and Facit
Migros is expanding its supermarket network to include Migros teo, a store that is open around the clock and can operate with a small staff. Customers enter the store using an app or card. Smart cameras and intelligent security systems monitor the store, detecting emergencies such as falls and automatically alerting headquarters if necessary.
Flying Tiger Copenhagen with Mishipay
In the UK, Flying Tiger Copenhagen is combining self-service kiosks, Scan & Go and traditional checkouts to create a flexible payment system that offers efficient and convenient payment options. Offline payments are also possible. The software for the checkout system can be quickly customised.
C&J Clark with Absolute Labs and NewStore
UK footwear retailer Clarks has upgraded its POS system and rolled it out to more than 500 stores. The new unified commerce platform optimises returns, improves inventory management and flexibly adapts to digital channels.
Mercedes Benz AG with Mastercard, Mercedes-Benz Mobility and Mercedes Pay
Mercedes-Benz is turning the car into a means of payment. With a digital payment solution for native in-car payments, the automotive company is enabling payments directly in the infotainment system via biometric authentication. The Fuel & Pay in-car payment solution also allows drivers to pay their fuel bills directly –without additional cards or apps.
Schwarz IT with ABB E-mobility, Chargepoint, Ekoenergetyka-Polska and Schwarz Digits
The Schwarz Group is implementing an e-mobility solution that seamlessly links all processes. The retailer is enabling a multi-vendor strategy by offering a standardised selection of different manufacturers at a single charging station. The e-mobility solution integrates over 4,000 charging stations into the loyalty apps of Lidl and Kaufland, enabling customers to manage and pay for charging processes via the app.
Gant with Cegid
Fashion retailer Gant is replacing traditional checkouts with mobile checkout technology in its 650 stores in more than 30 countries, enabling employees to serve customers anywhere in the store and making the shopping process more flexible. The new platform combines Endless Aisle, Click & Collect and seamless omni-channel integration for a unified shopping experience.
Lidl Stiftung with Schwarz IT, Cognigy and Vocovo
As part of Schwarz Digits, Schwarz IT is equipping employees in Lidl stores with headsets to improve communication between them. Using the headsets, store staff can contact the digital voice assistant Lidl Instore Voice Assistant (LIVA), which provides quick access to product and stock information. This reduces travel time and optimises processes.
Takko Fashion
Taikko, the AI chatbot developed by Takko, combines generative AI technologies in a central platform to support employees in administration, product management and logistics. The central platform provides text, translation and image generation, as well as chat and programming functions.
Edeka Clausen with VusionGroup
Edeka Clausen is using AI technology and more than 130 networked cameras to optimise processes in its 1,500 square metre store. The Retail Optimiser reported. The software analyses the shelf and detects gaps. The system then sends a replenishment order to the mobile device of the employee in charge. It can also take into account priority items such as fast-movers and promotions.
Colruyt Group with Colruyt Smart Technics
The Colruyt Group is optimising its warehouse logistics with an automated system based on autonomous mobile robots (AMR). Employees request goods via smartphone and they arrive within minutes. The system speeds up processes and increases the amount of sales floor space available by efficiently organising the storage area.
Ernsting’s Family with CAS AG, Concenso and SAP Deutschland
Ernsting’s Family standardises its pricing with an AI-based price reduction tool. The solution synchronises prices across all channels and makes them available offline. At the same time, it strengthens the omnichannel pricing framework and significantly reduces costs.
Pier 14 with Digimago, Remira, Sys-pro and Tanmar
The new Pier 14 store in Ahlbeck offers an omnichannel experience with interactive touchscreens that dynamically adapt to weather conditions and stock levels. Customers can select products directly on the screen, have them delivered to their home or get advice on the spot. In addition, the touchscreens can identify products using RFID and automatically display detailed information.
dm Drogeriemarkt with Osapiens
dm Drogeriemarkt is positioning itself as a pioneer in sustainability and is firmly embedding the topic in its corporate culture. The retailer promotes a sustainable product range and actively supports its customers in making conscious purchasing decisions. To this end, the drugstore specialist integrates sustainability and due diligence processes on a central platform.
